Reflexology

How Does It Work?

Reflexology is based on the principle that the body’s organs and structures are mapped out in miniature on the foot.  By applying finger and thumb pressure to those reflexes, a Reflexologist can tell if the body is congested or blocked.  Congestion or blockages are caused by stress, illness, fatigue and tension and prevent an organ from working as efficiently as it should do.  If just one part of the body is not working efficiently it can throw the whole body out of balance. By removing congestion the body’s natural equilibrium is restored allowing it to work to its optimal level again.

Reflexology can be used as a diagnostic tool alongside conventional medicine and as a therapy for treating many common ailments and stress. Reflexology treats the whole person not just the prevailing symptoms. Reflexology can help to maintain good health, is deeply relaxing plus restores and balances the body helping you to work as efficiently as you should be.

What Is It’s History?

The art of reflexology dates back to Ancient Egypt, China and India where various pressure therapies were practised at least 5000 years ago.  In 1913 Dr William Fitzgerald discovered that the reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas within a particular zone in the body.  He introduced this therapy to the West and called it Zone Therapy.  In the 1930s he taught the Zone Therapy to a massage therapist called Eunice Ingham.  She developed the therapy further developing her own routine involving pressure points on the feet.  She called her perfected method reflexology.   Reflexology was further developed in the 1930s by Eunice Ingham. Reflexology was eventually introduced to the UK in the 1960s.

Who Can Benifit?

Reflexology can benefit everyone from the elderly to babies.  It can benefit general good health and well being as well as bringing relief from many acute and chronic conditions.  The amount of treatments will vary from person to person. Often effects are experienced after one treatment but generally a course of treatments is recommended to bring about significant change to a particular condition.  Many people find it beneficial to continue with regular treatments in order to maintain health and wellbeing.

What Are The Benifits?

Reflexology can help to maintain good health, restore and balance the body helping you to work as efficiently as you should be.  There are many benefits including:-

Improving mental and physical wellbeing.

Deeply relaxing

Reduces stress

Releasing tension held within the body

Feeling better able to cope with lifes demands.

Improves elimination of toxins.

Prevents further illness

Achieving pregnancy

Reflexologists do not claim to cure, diagnose or prescribe but reflexology has shown to be effective for:-

Migraines and headaches

Back pain

Fertility issues

Sleep disorders

Arthritis

Hormonal imbalances

Digestive disorders

Anxiety and Stress related illnesses

Sports injuries

Does It Hurt?

Reflexology does not hurt but some areas of the foot may be more tender than others.  The more tender the area is the more congested it is.

What Happens During A Treatment?

You will complete a medical questionnaire with your therapist covering everything about your lifestyle and health.  You will then be asked to remove your shoes andsocks and then seated in a reclining position.  The therapist will examine your feel and commence the treatment with a relaxing massage moving on to the acutal treatment finishing off with a further massage.

Why Reflexology?

Unfortunately busy practices mean GP’s do not have the time to spend with patients due to having to keep to time limitations to get through the mass volume of patients they see within a day in a practice.  Patients feel hurried during their consultation, as GP’s do not have the time to sit and discuss the patient’s current life situation and tend only to have time to issue a quick fix solution in the form of medication rather than finding the root of the problem.

It can be seen that more and more people are taking an interest in their health and know their body’s limitations.  In particular they are aware of the effects which stress has on the body. It can be seen therefore that patients are becoming more aware of taking control of their health and there has been a continued growing interest in the use of complementary health treatments combining orthodox treatments with therapies such as Reflexology.  Not only do they help specific problems but people are using reflexology on a regular month basis as a preventative treatment to maintain good health.

Reflexology is no longer regarded as a hippy new age therapy.  Patients are now recommended Reflexology treatments by many GP’s.  Furthermore Reflexologists are working alongside nurses across the country in hospices and voluntarily in NHS hospitals.

The Prince of Wales Trust for Integrated Health  reported “Research has shown that approximately 20% of the UK population use complementary healthcare, with nearly 50% of GP practices offering some form of access to complementary treatments.”

Therefore not only is this respected ancient Chinese therapy beneficial for most health disorders but is also deeply relaxing releasing stress and tension held in the body’s organs.  On this basis reflexology improves health, encourages people to take some well deserved time out and can provide the same benefits as a full body massage.  A therapy which is therefore a popular  good all rounder!